Volunteer Spotlight

“The Trail provides” is a common refrain on the Appalachian Trail, capturing the serendipitous and often unexpected support hikers experience on their A.T. journeys. For York Hiking Club (YHC) President Bernie Frick, that sentiment came to life when Kevin Shenk and Matt Wilson began volunteering with the Club. 

“The York Hiking Club is relatively small as hiking clubs go, but it has a proud history,” Bernie explained. “Coming out of the COVID period, we struggled to keep our roughly seven-mile section of the Appalachian Trail up to standard as our experienced maintainers aged and replacements became harder to find. When it started to feel like a crisis, several people stepped up.” 

Two of those people were Matt and Kevin. 

A resident of Duncannon, Pa., Matt began volunteering with YHC because he wanted to care for the section of Trail closest to where he lives. Kevin, a retired contractor, began helping the Club with boundary monitoring shortly after Matt became involved. Bernie described Matt as a strong hiker and natural leader—charismatic, skilled, and an effective organizer. Bernie also expressed appreciation for Kevin’s versatility and energy, which has allowed him to support the A.T. in numerous ways. 

“Matt and Kevin brought their resources and dedication,” Bernie shared. “The York Hiking Club and the Appalachian Trail are fortunate to be the beneficiaries.” 

 In turn, both Kevin and Matt credit Bernie’s support as a key factor in what they’ve been able to accomplish on the Trail as relatively new volunteers. 

Keep reading to learn more about Matt and Kevin’s experiences as new volunteers, what’s ahead for the York Hiking Club, and how others can get involved. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. 

Did you have experience with the A.T. before you started volunteering? 

Kevin: I kind of accidentally (Forrest Gump-like) started section hiking the A.T. 10 years ago. I did a section near Gettysburg, then did a few more miles, and decided to keep going.  I completed the entire Trail last year in October. 

Matt: I grew up in York, Pa. I hiked there when I was younger and I realized I had hiked parts of the A.T. without realizing it. Five years ago, a friend and coworker decided to section hike the Pennsylvania section of the A.T. and she said, “You ought to come with me.” I had never been backpacking, so she loaned me enough gear and took me out for an overnight, which I loved. I’ve now completed four states. 

What motivated you to start volunteering for the A.T.? 

Kevin: I became a member of a couple of A.T. Clubs, but just gave financial support. About 15 months ago, I saw an ad in the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club newsletter that they needed a Corridor Monitor. I signed up and really enjoyed that work. I asked my ATC "boss" James Sedano if any other clubs needed help with corridor monitoring and he mentioned the York Hiking Club. 

Matt: (I was motivated by) the happiness I experienced section hiking the Appalachian Trail, and the deep appreciation I felt for those who designed and built a space for those experiences. I had fallen in love with the Trail community where I live in Duncannon and I didn't realize how much the town benefitted from the Trail until I started hiking.  

What does your volunteer work involve?  

Matt: I clear blowdowns, cut brush, and maintain the Clarks Ferry Shelter and tent camping area. I also do boundary monitoring, organize and promote volunteer opportunities, and participate in ATC events. 

Kevin: I help with corridor monitoring. I also work behind the scenes, and I established a small "A.T. Fund" to make sure Matt has some financial resources for his work.    

What makes the A.T. special? 

Kevin: The community. While hiking on the Trail, I learned that you can have a really in-depth conversation with a stranger and share what you couldn’t share with a brother or someone in your community. And people shared things with me that they wouldn’t share with anyone else. You can have a three-to-four hour conversation with someone you’ll never see again, but you’ll have the memory of that conversation forever.  

Matt: Hiking and maintaining the A.T. promotes physical and mental health, land conservation, and an appreciation of nature. I live one block off the Trail in Duncannon, which is one of Pennsylvania's Appalachian Trail Communities. Every year, the A.T. brings thousands of people through our town from all over the world. They enhance our community with their presence.  

Looking ahead, what are you most excited about in your work with the York Hiking Club this year? 

Kevin: I’m excited about the momentum the Club has and this year’s maintenance season. 

Matt: Last year, the Mid-Atlantic Crew replaced a retaining wall on our section and we’re going into this year with the Trail in great shape. I’m excited to build on that and keep it maintained throughout the season. 

How do you make new volunteers feel welcome with the York Hiking Club? 

Matt: I reach out and call them before volunteering so they don’t feel like a stranger. I also try to encourage the idea of being on a “crew” and had shirts printed last year. I want people to feel like, “You’re part of this,” and that they’re welcome to come back. 

Kevin: Matt cares about volunteers. He learns their names and something about them, welcomes them, and introduces them to others. He assigns them a task that matches their skills, gives them the tools, materials, and knowledge to succeed at their task, and thanks them as they are working and after the work is done.    

How can people help with the York Hiking Club? 

Kevin: We need more people to help with brush cutting, weedwacking, boundary work, and we need sawyers. 

Matt: We have a need for an updated website and more help in developing our social media. We also need sawyers and people to help with boundary marking.  

If someone is on the fence about helping, what would you tell them? 

Matt: What do you have to lose? What could you stand to gain? 

Interested in starting or continuing your own volunteer journey on the A.T.? Find a way to help here or email us at volunteer@appalachiantrail.org.